At Eminent Recipes, I believe great food doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. This club sandwich pasta salad is the kind of recipe I love sharing—simple, comforting, and made for real life. Inspired by classic family favorites, it combines creamy pasta, chicken, bacon, and fresh vegetables into one satisfying dish. It’s quick to prepare, easy to customize, and perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This club sandwich pasta salad is everything you want in a modern comfort dish—quick to prepare, deeply satisfying, and perfect for real life. Inspired by classic club sandwich flavors, this recipe transforms chicken, turkey, bacon, and pasta into a creamy, crowd-pleasing meal that works for both busy weeknights and special occasions. If you love easy chicken club pasta salad recipes, this one delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
What makes this club sandwich pasta salad recipe stand out is how customizable it is. You can adjust the protein, add extra veggies, or make it lighter without losing that familiar club sandwich taste. It’s a balanced one-pot meal that feels indulgent yet practical, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, picnics, or meal prep. The combination of pasta, crispy bacon, and a smooth mayonnaise dressing creates a chicken and bacon pasta salad with mayo that’s comforting and dependable.
Whether you’re craving a club sandwich salad or need a reliable turkey club pasta salad, this recipe fits seamlessly into everyday cooking while still feeling special enough to share.
Ingredients for This Recipe
The ingredients in this club sandwich pasta salad are simple, familiar, and chosen to recreate the classic club sandwich in a creamy, satisfying pasta dish. Tender pasta forms the base, soaking up the rich mayonnaise dressing while holding its shape for the perfect bite. Chicken and turkey add hearty protein, making this an easy chicken club pasta salad that works as a full meal. Crispy bacon brings smoky flavor and crunch, while fresh lettuce and tomatoes keep the salad light and balanced. The creamy dressing ties everything together, turning this into a chicken and bacon pasta salad with mayo that feels comforting, fresh, and customizable for everyday cooking or special gatherings. This club sandwich pasta salad recipe uses pantry-friendly ingredients that come together quickly without sacrificing flavor.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the Pasta Salad:
- 12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup cooked turkey, diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
For the Creamy Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2–3 tablespoons milk, as needed to thin the dressing
How to Make This Recipe
Making this club sandwich pasta salad is simple and stress-free, using familiar ingredients and easy steps that fit perfectly into busy schedules. The process focuses on building flavor while keeping the texture fresh and creamy. Cooking the pasta correctly is key, as it creates the base for this club sandwich pasta salad recipe and allows the mayonnaise dressing to coat every bite evenly. Mixing the chicken, turkey, and bacon at the right time ensures this easy chicken club pasta salad stays hearty without becoming heavy. Fresh vegetables and a smooth dressing finish the dish, turning it into a chicken and bacon pasta salad with mayo that tastes balanced, comforting, and ready for any occasion.
🛒 Steps:
- Cook rotini or bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente for the perfect club sandwich pasta salad texture
- Drain pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool quickly for a creamy pasta salad base
- Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a smooth club sandwich pasta salad dressing
- Dice cooked chicken breast and turkey into bite-sized pieces for an easy chicken club pasta salad
- Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble to add smoky flavor to the chicken and bacon pasta salad with mayo
- Combine cooled pasta, chicken, turkey, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, onion, and lettuce in a large bowl
- Pour creamy dressing over the mixture and toss gently until fully coated
- Chill the club sandwich pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor before serving

Expert Cooking Tips
Perfecting this club sandwich pasta salad comes down to smart preparation and small technique details that elevate flavor and texture. Choosing the right pasta shape helps the dressing cling evenly, which is essential for a creamy club sandwich pasta salad recipe. Properly cooling the pasta prevents excess moisture and keeps the mayonnaise dressing smooth. Balancing proteins and fresh vegetables ensures this easy chicken club pasta salad feels hearty but not heavy. With a few expert adjustments, this chicken and bacon pasta salad with mayo stays fresh, customizable, and ideal for make-ahead meals, gatherings, or busy weeknights.
💡 Expert Tips:
- Cook pasta just to al dente so it holds up well in the club sandwich pasta salad without becoming mushy
- Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to lock in texture for a creamy pasta salad base
- Add lettuce right before serving to keep the club sandwich salad crisp and fresh
- Use freshly cooked, well-drained bacon to avoid excess grease in the chicken and bacon pasta salad with mayo
- Adjust mayonnaise and milk gradually to control the creaminess of the club sandwich pasta salad recipe
- Season in layers, tasting as you mix, to enhance classic club sandwich flavors
- Chill the salad before serving to allow the dressing and proteins to fully blend
- Customize with extra vegetables or swap turkey and chicken based on preference

FAQs
Can I make club sandwich pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, this club sandwich pasta salad is ideal for making ahead. Prepare the pasta, proteins, and dressing up to 24 hours in advance and store them chilled. Add lettuce and a little extra mayonnaise just before serving to keep the texture fresh.
What pasta works best for a club sandwich pasta salad recipe?
Short pasta shapes like rotini, bowtie, or penne work best because they hold the creamy dressing well and mix evenly with chicken, turkey, and bacon.
Can I use only chicken or only turkey in this recipe?
Absolutely. This easy chicken club pasta salad works perfectly with just chicken, while turkey alone creates a delicious turkey club pasta salad. Both options keep the classic club sandwich flavor.
How do I keep a chicken and bacon pasta salad with mayo from drying out?
If the salad thickens after chilling, stir in a small amount of mayonnaise or milk before serving to refresh the creamy dressing and restore texture.
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This club sandwich pasta salad is a simple yet satisfying recipe that brings together everything people love about a classic club sandwich in an easy, creamy pasta dish. With tender pasta, chicken, turkey, crispy bacon, and a rich mayonnaise dressing, it’s a dependable option for busy weeknights, family meals, or gatherings. This club sandwich pasta salad recipe is easy to customize, quick to prepare, and perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or special occasions. If you’re looking for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing dish that fits into everyday cooking, this easy chicken club pasta salad is one you’ll want to make again and again.
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Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
- Total Time: ~1 hour
- Yield: ~1 hour
Description
A creamy, flavor-packed pasta salad inspired by the classic club sandwich. Loaded with tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, turkey, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and a smooth mayonnaise-based dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, meal prep, or an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8):
For the Pasta Salad:
12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
1 cup cooked turkey, diced
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
½ cup shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
For the Creamy Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2–3 tablespoons milk (to thin, if needed)
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add milk a little at a time until the dressing reaches a creamy but pourable consistency.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chicken, turkey, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, onion, and lettuce.
Step 4: Mix & Chill
Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
Step 5: Serve
Give the salad a quick stir before serving. Add extra bacon or cheese on top if desired.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Prepare everything except the lettuce up to 24 hours ahead; stir in lettuce just before serving.
- Extra Creamy: Add an extra 2–3 tablespoons of mayonnaise before serving if needed.
- Protein Swap: Use all chicken or all turkey if preferred.
- Healthier Option: Substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad / Pasta Salad
- Method: Boiled / Mixed / Chilled
- Cuisine: American
